New Yamaha and Star Motorcycles for 2016

Yamaha unveiled a few new models yesterday afternoon in Irvine, California, and told us to stand by, there may be another new street model yet to come later this year. We were kind of expecting the XSR700 that Yamaha teased back in July, so maybe that will be the missing model?

The YZF-R1S, in the lead photo, is one of the new models it did reveal. The R1 and R1M were so well-received, says Yamaha, that it wanted to extend the reach of those highly track-focussed machines to riders who are a bit less track focussed. Substituting less expensive metals in a bunch of places means the weight of the S model goes up a bit, but the price goes down: Instead of titanium con rods it get steel ones, instead of Ti headers it gets stainless steel ones, instead of magnesium wheels it gets aluminum ones, etc. – and winds up nine pounds heavier than the standard R1, says Yamaha. It does get the six-way IMU and all the electronic aids of the R1 except the quickshifter (QSS in Yamalingo), which is available as an option. (We’d have definitely gone for some higher clip-ons on our S version, but that would’ve required a whole new fairing, so the riding position remains the same.)

The steel rods don’t let the S engine rev quite as far as the Ti-rodded engine, but peak power is supposed to be very similar anyway. Those extra nine pounds save you $2k; the S model will sell for $14,990, and only the discriminating Yamaha spotter will know you cheaped out, since there’s no S on the bike to identify it – especially if you go for the Matt Gray version, a paint scheme it shares with the regular R1.

In other R1 news, there’s this sweet 60th Anniversary model, for $16,990, as well as a matching 60th R6, which will sell for $11,490.

60th Anniversary Super Tenere

The Super Tenere is back, available also as a non-ES in bumblebee paint for $15,590. The Super Tenere ES in Raven will set you back $16,190.

Other returning models include FZ6R, FJ-09, and SR400.

Department of Cruising

V Star 1300 Tourer in Metallic Raspberry; $12,390.

New VStar 950 Tourer and V Star 1300 Tourer models take those proven platforms and add quick-release windshields and backrests, which enable them to convert from cruiser to tourer in seconds. One key fits those accessories, along with the saddlebags and ignition.

Department of the Interior

The WR450F is available now: $8,990.

The new WR450F is for aggressive off-road and enduro riders. Using the YZ450F titanium-valved Single, it adds an electric starter, a wide-ratio 5-speed gearbox, radiator fan, head and taillights, an enduro computer, sidestand, skidplate, etc.

YZ450FX, available in November; $8,890.

Last year, Yamaha’s YZ250FX was such a resounding success (says Yamaha), it decided to give its 450 the same treatment. The new YZ450FX engine and KYB suspension are tuned for serious GNCC competition, adding all the WR components to the big 450 thumper except the lights and computer.

Unfortunately, what none of Yamaha’s off-road bikes come with is a license plate, a thing that’s a very big deal to many riders, and a feature we can’t help thinking sells a lot of KTM EXC500s and things. It’s all about the EPA, says a Yamaha spokesman, who claims he doesn’t have a clue how the Europeans do it: Yamaha’s big 450 passes the emissions tests no problem when new, but at the 10,000-mile recheck specified by the EPA, he says it’s a no-go every time.

He adds it’s a self-policing test. Everybody’s on the honor system. Kudos to Yamaha and the other Japanese factories for keeping things honorable, but we’d love to get our hands on a street-going WR450F. In the wake of Volkswagen, we wonder how the Euros do it, too?

Star Communities

Yamaha Communities

Would have been a shame if they hadn’t offered a 60th Anniversay R1. It’s beautiful.

Jeff LaLone

“Unfortunately, what none of Yamaha’s off-road bikes come with is a license plate….”

No more WR250R? That’s too bad.

I do like how, with the “FX” models, they seem to finally be following KTM’s lead. It seemed weird to me that KTM had the EXC and MXC lines, but no one else seemed to do the same.

Scott Chalmers

They still sell the WR250R for 2016. I think in the article they were speaking of a true off road MX bike with the ability to put a tag on it and ride it on the street like KTM does. The WR250R is a fine bike but doesn’t really compare to a WR250/450 F model off road.

Jeff LaLone

So, rather than a dual sport, the article is wishing for an off-road bike that will pass on-road emissions? Leaving it up to the owner to add whatever is necessary in their region for safety to put a plate on it?

Old MOron

Would love to have a WR450 supermoto. Maybe I’ll just hold out for Husky’s 701, but I would prefer a WR450SM.

Ducati Kid

To all,

Guess asking YAMAHA to introduce an ‘S’ for Sport version was asking for too much.

Perhaps this ‘YZF-R1-S’ Concept depicted might quell discussion?

Steve Cole

Roughly same price as a RSV4 RR which has more motor than the R1M (and a real V4), adjustable frame geometry, Brembo brakes, bluetooth connectivity and doesn’t look like a cheap kid’s toy. Time hasn’t made the R1 look any better in my eyes.

Ducati Kid

SC,

Said this before – APRILIA product is stellar with dismal Stateside product support.

Love Noales new ‘Tuono 1100’ …

Mark Vizcarra

Not in the Bay Area, I know at least 3 aprilia dealers within a 30 miles radius of where I live.

I kind of wish the forks were blue like the European version, but no matter, I’m still quite happy we’re getting silver/blue.

faztang

Still no ABS option on the cruisers. Still no updated Stratoliner Deluxe. Disappointing. Would be nice if they had a nice alternative to Street Glides.

vtwinsrbest

Probably still cleaning out inventory of the Liners. What a shame they just did not sell in the volumes neccesary to warrant an update.
ABS, 6 gallon tank and a true overdrive top gear on top of Yamaha quality would’ve allowed them to compete with the big boys.

Mike Johnson

Tough to just copy the Harley Twin Cam even if it has many improvements. People will prefer the Original Paint Shaker most often and giant, heavy air cooled engines are over. The weight and emissions, etc goes completely out of control. These are Fantasy Machines and gasoline powered noisemakers and Harleys are fine for that.

Terony Dwayne

wtf do you need abs on a motorcycle for? you sound like cager to me…

faztang

no clue who cager is but on big heavy cruiser abs could be a life saver. i got in an accident with my H-D and i can almost guarantee that if my bike had ABS I would have had a better chance of not dumping the bike. your reply is pretty ignorant in my book and probably many others.

Mike Johnson

Right, ABS is far more useful on a motorcycle than a car as the car cannot fall down. I think almost all 2016s in Europe must have ABS.

JMDonald

Yamaha makes a nice product all way around. The anniversary super ten is more than nice. The yzf-r1s looks like a great version of the r1. It may be true that there aren’t a lot of bikes I don’t like.

Lee Taplinger

Be nicer yet if the super ten were 100 lbs. lighter.

Mike Johnson

At least 100 lbs given modern materials. Might be useful to put a maximum of 500 lbs on all bikes.

Reid

And yet we still don’t get the XJR1300.

Reid

And yet we still don’t get the XJR1300.

http://facebook.com/ East South

the r1m will be on sale again from what I heard.
the new R1 proven to be very competitive

Mark Vizcarra

” It’s all about the EPA, says a Yamaha spokesman, who claims he doesn’t have a clue how the Europeans do it:”

“In the wake of Volkswagen, we wonder how the Euros do it, too?”

They cheat obviously.

DickRuble

They learned how to from Caterpillar, Cummins (1998), GM (Cadillac) 1997 etc…

Tony Sharp

“Department of the Interior” I love it! It’ll be a cold day in hell when any of those pantloads from the US Dept. of the Interior ever throw a leg over a bike and see their precious land the way we motorcyclists do.

William C. Chapman

sure would be nice to see the FJR bumped to 1500cc or 1600cc. considering it took ~9 years to get cruise control I won’t hold my breath. the last time I held my breath I almost died twice waiting for self cancelling turn signals.

Richard Miller

@MarkViscarra and @Motorcycle.com
Well guys, Yamaha knows exactly how KTM does it. Its likely that a number of their dealers know it too. Mine did. But they’re scared to death of the EPA and with the Volkswagen situation, that’s unlikely going to change.

Here’s how KTM works around 10,000 mile requirement and gets the street legal sticker. They simply document that the engine (for warranty or some other certification rationale) requires a full top end rebuild at 10,000 miles, including new piston, valves, guides, cylinder hone, etc. Upon doing so, the engine will pass. IF YOU DID A COMPARABLE REBUILD ON THE YAMAHA, OF COURSE IT WOULD PASS! But Yamaha is a volume builder and would never advertise to their customer base that their bikes require a full rebuild at that stage of life. Personally, I wish they would. I’d love to have a street legal WR. Such is life. KTM is an Austrian company. Austria is right next to Germany. Home of Volkswagen

john burns

Very interesting. True? makes complete sense…

Richard Miller

Yeah, it does unfortunately. By establishing a contractual mileage based rebuild requirement with the customer, KTM removes itself from the emissions liability picture entirely. But note that in doing so, KTM effectively passes all legal responsibility to the customer, who is now breaking the law if they ride the motorcycle on the street beyond the 10,000 mile limit and haven’t had the rebuild done.

That is VERY interesting info – so these “Off road spec” thumpers develop “mechanical looseness” over 10K miles – and then spew enough blow-by hydrocarbons to fail the EPA test? You know these bikes already have EFI, so how much more can it cost to put a feedback 02 sensor and a small cat on the road legal version? Make the cat small and sell an “off road use only” test pipe for those of us who only use them off road. Yeah right…

john burns

Hmmm, I bought one of the first Husqvarna TE250s that came with a plate. Was it 2006? I don’t remember reading anything about 10K-mile rebuild or anybody telling me that, but maybe I was too excited at the time to read the fine print?

Randy Pancetalk

anniversary model = it’s going to be completely redesigned and updated next year.

http://www.petescycle.com John Petes

I have been using Pirelli Angel GT with very good results, FJR 1300’s are very hard on front tires so you have to keep 40 psi in them and 42 psi in the rear, te Angel GT is excellent in rain and dry roads too.

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